Focusing on the Neck Up & November 2010

Now that I'm "put back together" I can focus on the neck up. I've always had bad oral health prior to chemo. Both my parents have bad oral health so again I am genetically at a disadvantage when it comes to oral health. They recommend getting your teeth clean prior to chemo because you will not be able to get them clean during treatment because of the low white blood count. Our mouths is a breeding ground for bacteria and germs, especially when they clean near the gums.

I am currently having oral work done. I don't think chemo helped my situation but it isn't the only culprit. However, I know two women that swear that their oral health declined immensely post chemo. I'm writing on this topic hoping anyone that stumbles across this takes extra special care of their oral health before, during and after chemo.

Unfortunately I am a type A personality. I've been grinding my teeth since college. All the grinding has caused my bite to become off. I'm currently having that corrected without jaw surgery which used to be the only option out there. They can now use TAD Temporary Anchorage Device to move the jaw. The TAD has its pros and cons too but I did not any more big surgeries.

My oncology visit the end of December will be my first since my 5 year cancerversary. I will need to bring my oncologist a small gift of appreciation. I spoke to her during my last visit and she would like me to go into my 5 years with a clean scan. I was leaning on not getting that many scans because CT emits a great deal of radiation. MRI because I'm allergic to the gadolinium. I will get a scan done BECAUSE I trust her AND I know someone that found out she had a recurrence through a yearly routine CT scan. She had over 17 nodes involved! Imagine if she waited! She is only 3 years out but diligence paid off, especially because her oncologist doesn't really believe in scans. She fought for a yearly one and thank goodness she did! I think finding about her recurrence through me into a funk a I didn't really celebrate my 5 year cancerversary too much.

Birthday cake from Mad Cakes courtesy of my sister and Steve. Delicious!

I did have a rocking great birthday month though! On my official birthday I went for a jog at Town Lake, Shell and Nicole came by with cupcakes, met Cara for a late lunch and then gathered Deborah for Harry Potter. Beyond that I did a great deal of eating! Thankfully I didn't gain a lot of weight. I guess the braces and working out helps. I've taken a few indoor rowing w/CTTS and I like the variation. I've gone jogging a few times at Town Lake with my new sneaks and found it refreshing and okay on my knee. I've also signed up for Mamma Jamma 2011. I'm seriously thinking of 100 miles... :)

Co-birthday celebration with my "sis" Kelly at Sherlock's.
We jammed to Space Rockers, a silly cover band. She's the one my big head is blocking. :)
She is officially 366 days younger than me.